Stars hope to move on up with Jefferson

Stars’ Moriah Jefferson answers questions from the media after the first on-court day of training camp held on April 25, 2016 at the Antioch Sports Complex.

Stars’ Moriah Jefferson answers questions from the media after the first on-court day of training camp held on April 25, 2016 at the Antioch Sports Complex.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

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Stars’ Moriah Jefferson passes during the first on-court day of training camp on April 25, 2016 at the Antioch Sports Complex.

Stars’ Moriah Jefferson passes during the first on-court day of training camp on April 25, 2016 at the Antioch Sports Complex.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

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Stars’ Kelsey Minato (left) defends teammate Moriah Jefferson during the first on-court day of training camp on April 25, 2016 at the Antioch Sports Complex.

Stars’ Kelsey Minato (left) defends teammate Moriah Jefferson during the first on-court day of training camp on April 25, 2016 at the Antioch Sports Complex.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

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Stars head coach Dan Hughes talks guard Moriah Jefferson during the first half of a WNBA preseason game on May 5, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (

Stars head coach Dan Hughes talks guard Moriah Jefferson during the first half of a WNBA preseason game on May 5, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (

Photo: Jessica Hill /Associated Press

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Atlanta’s Courtney Walker and the Stars’ Moriah Jefferson (4) chase a loose ball during the first half of a WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn.

Atlanta’s Courtney Walker and the Stars’ Moriah Jefferson (4) chase a loose ball during the first half of a WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn.

Photo: Jessica Hill /Associated Press

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Stars’ Moriah Jefferson (left) shares a light moment with San Antonio assistant coach Vickie Johnson during the first half of a WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn.

Stars’ Moriah Jefferson (left) shares a light moment with San Antonio assistant coach Vickie Johnson during the first half of a WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn.

Photo: Jessica Hill /Associated Press

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Connecticut’s Moriah Jefferson (right) and WNBA president Leslie Borders hold a San Antonio Stars jersey after Jefferson was selected with the second pick in the WNBA draft on April 14, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. less

Connecticut’s Moriah Jefferson (right) and WNBA president Leslie Borders hold a San Antonio Stars jersey after Jefferson was selected with the second pick in the WNBA draft on April 14, 2016, in Uncasville, ... more

Photo: Cloe Poisson /Associated Press

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Connecticut’s Moriah Jefferson celebrates by cutting down the net after an 82-51 victory over Syracuse in the championship game at the Women’s Final Four on April 5, 2016, in Indianapolis. Connecticut won 82-51. less

Connecticut’s Moriah Jefferson celebrates by cutting down the net after an 82-51 victory over Syracuse in the championship game at the Women’s Final Four on April 5, 2016, in Indianapolis. Connecticut won ... more

Photo: Michael Conroy /Associated Press

Stars hope to move on up with Jefferson

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There are still moments when Moriah Jefferson is on a basketball court and can hear the voice. It isn’t audible. Instead, it’s in her subconscious.

The voice emerges when others doubt Jefferson, when she’s told she is too small to be successful at the sport’s highest level. The voice is her father, Lorenza, reminding his daughter not to let anyone deter her from accomplishing her goals.

“He knows it’s a tough world out here, and people are always going to look for the negative in any situation,” Jefferson said.

For Jefferson, the Stars’ rookie point guard from national powerhouse Connecticut and the No. 2 overall pick in last month’s WNBA draft, the negativity usually relates to her 5-foot-6, 122-pound frame.

As she has at every step of her basketball career, Jefferson is out to prove the naysayers wrong. She gets the first opportunity in the pro ranks when the Stars play the Atlanta Dream in their season opener at 7 p.m. Saturday at the AT&T Center.

The Stars finished 8-26 a year ago, the worst mark in the WNBA. They missed the playoffs for only the second time in nine seasons.

“I think last year we just never really found our identity,” said third-year guard Kayla McBride, who led the team in scoring at 13.8 points per game. “I think we saw glimpses of it. This year, it’s kind of starting fresh. I think it’s a new opportunity, new team, new faces. I think it’s just an opportunity for us to start again.”

The Stars underwent an overhaul during the offseason, with half the roster gone from the one that closed out the 2015 season with a win at Seattle.

Sophia Young-Malcolm retired, Jia Perkins was traded, Danielle Adams and Samantha Logic were waived and Valeriane Ayayi is playing overseas. Danielle Robinson was put on the league’s suspended list while recovering from offseason surgery on her right Achilles. It gives the Stars flexibility to make roster moves while still retaining Robinson’s rights.

In their places are Monique Currie, who was acquired in a recent trade; Frida Eldebrink and Haley Peters, who both arrived via free agency; and Jazmon Gwathmey, who was drafted by defending league champion Minnesota with the No. 14 pick but was swamped for Perkins during a draft-night trade.

“Just being in training camp, you kind of get the vibe that everybody has a sense of urgency,” McBride said. “We’re going to surprise some people.”

Pro Team Sports

Jefferson, a Dallas native, will likely be leading the way. She was named the nation’s top point guard and defensive player, and was selected to multiple All-American squads after helping UConn win its fourth straight national title. Her transition to the pro game will be crucial in the Stars’ hopes of reversing their fortunes.

“You’ve just got to keep thinking to yourself, ‘next game, next play,’” Jefferson said. “That’s how you get stuck in a drought, thinking about your last game. You have to come out, be focused, be prepared and do your best each time you step on the court.”

For the Stars, it all starts Saturday when they host Atlanta.

“I do think it’s important that they feel that we’re evolving in a way that’s tangible on the court,” said Stars coach Dan Hughes, who announced during the offseason this will be his final year with the team.

“In the WNBA, you better have a philosophy that allows you to win early because the season’s short. Good starts are typically powerful in the WNBA.”